New Southern Revival | Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review
Company: High Wire Distilling Co.
Proof: 95
Mash bill: 100% Corn (Jimmy Red Corn)
Age: 2 years
MSRP: $80
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Fool Proof Rating and Summary of Tasting Notes
Color: Amber
Nose: Dominated by cornbread, caramel, and toffee, with minimal complexity.
Palate: Very corn-forward with honey and caramel, a slight nutty undertone, but feels one-dimensional.
Finish: Short, with lingering corn sweetness and little depth.
Feel: Thick, and creamy, but the corn-heavy profile overshadows everything else.
See below for an in-depth review.
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
I use the Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass or a traditional Glencairn glass for all my tastings. They are both great for nosing and help discern more subtle notes.
New Southern Revival Straight Bourbon Whiskey by High Wire Distilling Co. | A Corn-Heavy Experiment
The History Behind the Whiskey
High Wire Distilling Co., based in Charleston, South Carolina, has carved out a niche in the craft spirits world by focusing on Southern heritage and heirloom grains. Revival Jimmy Red Corn Straight Bourbon is no exception. This special bourbon is made from 100% Jimmy Red corn, a nearly extinct variety of red corn that High Wire brought back to life with the help of local farmers. This rare strain, native to the Lowcountry, was traditionally used in moonshine production, but High Wire saw its potential for creating a truly unique bourbon.
Scott Blackwell and Ann Marshall, the founders of High Wire Distilling Co., have always been dedicated to small-batch production and local sourcing, and Jimmy Red corn perfectly fits their ethos. They’ve partnered with farmers, who helped grow and preserve this once-forgotten crop. The result is a bourbon that’s as much about the local land and history as it is about the spirit itself.
Unlike your typical bourbon, which mixes corn with other grains like rye, barley, or wheat, Revival Jimmy Red Corn bourbon sticks to its guns with 100% heirloom corn. Aged for a 2 years in charred oak barrels, this bourbon is a celebration of Southern agriculture and craft distilling. But does the choice to rely solely on this unique corn variety pay off in the flavor department? Let’s dive in.
Nose
The nose of New Southern Revival Straight Bourbon Whiskey hits you with sweet corn from the get-go. It’s reminiscent of buttered popcorn, with layers of caramel, vanilla, and honey following behind. There’s a faint suggestion of oak in the background, but it’s subtle, and the corn is clearly the star of the show. If you're hoping for any spice or peppery notes that you might find in a rye-heavy bourbon, you’ll be disappointed. It’s pleasant, don’t get me wrong, but one-dimensional.
Palate
On the palate, that corn sweetness takes over. It’s like someone took cornbread, slathered it in honey, and squeezed it into a bottle. There’s a rich, syrupy mouthfeel that makes this whiskey feel almost like a dessert. The vanilla and caramel carry through from the nose, but there’s not much more going on beyond that. The lack of rye or barley in the mash bill really becomes apparent here, as there’s no complexity to balance out the sweetness. If you love corn-forward bourbons, you might find this satisfying. But if you’re like me and prefer some spice or grain bite, you might feel like this bourbon is missing a key layer of flavor.
Finish
The finish is short, leaving behind a faint trace of corn syrup and vanilla. There’s a touch of warmth as it fades, but nothing lingers long enough to make a lasting impression. It’s smooth, but not in a way that’s particularly exciting. You take a sip, it’s sweet, and then it’s gone, without much else to think about.
Feel
This is where Revival gets some points. The texture is thick and creamy, coating your mouth with a rich, velvety feel. The high corn content gives it a full body, and the viscosity is enjoyable. If you’re a fan of bourbons that feel luxurious in the mouth, this could be a selling point for you. However, texture alone isn’t enough to make up for the lack of complexity in flavor.
Overall
Fool Proof Rating: 79% Revival Straight Bourbon Whiskey from High Wire Distilling Co. is a bold experiment, but it’s not going to be for everyone. The 100% corn mash bill creates a sweet, smooth bourbon with a soft mouthfeel, but it’s lacking the spice, depth, and complexity that many bourbon lovers crave. If you enjoy sweeter, corn-forward bourbons, you might enjoy this bottle, but for those of us who prefer a more balanced profile, it feels like it’s missing something. Revival is worth a try if you’re curious, but it probably won’t become your go-to.
Check out my review of Blanton's Gold Edition
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Check out my review of Eagle Rare 17 Year here also from Buffalo Trace Distillery
Check out my review of Van Winkle 12 Year Lot B here also from Buffalo Trace Distillery
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
I would love to hear from you! Please drop me a comment below and let me know what you think of this whiskey.
Below are my favorite glasses for doing tastings. The Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass is my favorite because it has a little more heft to it and feels better in my hand than the traditional Glencairn glass does.
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